Being a preschool teacher

Being a preschool teacher means
Understanding that tears don't always mean that someone is hurt
Tears can mean I need some extra attention today
I didn't get enough sleep last night
I don't feel well
I miss my mom
I'm frustrated
Tears can come quickly and be gone in a flash
Tears can linger all day long
Coming in short bursts at a moment's notice
Being a preschool teacher means
Listening to the tears
Rather than blocking them out
Rather than accepting them as part of the background noise
Being a preschool teacher means
Remembering when your own feelings were so close to the surface